Tekkaman: The Space Knight
Encyclopedia
is an anime
produced by Tatsunoko Productions in 1975. A short-lived English adaptation aired in the US in 1984.
Two decades later, it was followed by the much more popular Tekkaman Blade
, which was dubbed in the U.S. by Saban
as Teknoman.
has entered the 21st century and it is in peril. The “Green Earth” project has been abandoned and scientists look to the stars to find a “Second Earth.”
The Space Angel, on its mission to find this “Second Earth,” is attacked by a group of aliens named the “Waldarians.” The Space Angel is destroyed and with it the hope of mankind.
Dr. Amachi manages to create “Pegas” and the “Tekset” system, designed to combat the aliens by augmenting a human with a certain wavelength into a Tekkaman, giving them enhanced strength abilities. Test pilots Joji Minami and Hiromi Amachi, along with Andro Uemeda and Mutan, two alien beings from the planet Sanno, rid the dying Earth from the threat of the “Waldaster” and continue to research the “Leap Flight Engine” to reach a new home for humanity.
In the Arabian version of the popular series, Tekkaman is known as “Rajul Al-Tikka” [رجل التكة] an awkward translation which ironically fits with the original.
, written by Tatsunoko’s Planning Department (lyrics) and Asei Kobayashi (music) and arranged by Bob Sakuma, who composed all the music for the series.
An English language version was created by a small independent company called William Winckler Productions. However, the dub was cancelled in mid-story with only 13 of the show’s 26 episodes produced.
Over forty-thousand original Tekkaman the Space Knight VHS
video cassettes were successfully sold throughout the U.S. to major retail stores by Congress Video Group (the largest video distributor at the time), and later by L.D. Video. Congress Video sold half-hour episodes, whereas L.D. Video sold two 96-minute movie compilations.
William Winckler attempted to stay as true to the original Japanese series as possible, with little editing of violence as possible, and retaining all the original Japanese music and sound effects. This was in stark contrast to Science Ninja Team Gatchaman
, another Tatsunoko series which was dubbed by Sandy Frank
as Battle of the Planets
.
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
produced by Tatsunoko Productions in 1975. A short-lived English adaptation aired in the US in 1984.
Two decades later, it was followed by the much more popular Tekkaman Blade
Tekkaman Blade
or Teknoman is an anime series, released in 1992 and 1995 in both Japanese and English language versions.-Plot:During the year 2300 AD , otherwise known as United Earth Year 192, the Earth is under attack from an extraterrestrial enemy known as the Radam...
, which was dubbed in the U.S. by Saban
Saban
Saban Entertainment , was a worldwide-served independent American television production company formed in 1984 by music and television producers Haim Saban and Shuki Levy as "Saban Productions", a U.S...
as Teknoman.
Plot synopsis
The EarthEarth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
has entered the 21st century and it is in peril. The “Green Earth” project has been abandoned and scientists look to the stars to find a “Second Earth.”
The Space Angel, on its mission to find this “Second Earth,” is attacked by a group of aliens named the “Waldarians.” The Space Angel is destroyed and with it the hope of mankind.
Dr. Amachi manages to create “Pegas” and the “Tekset” system, designed to combat the aliens by augmenting a human with a certain wavelength into a Tekkaman, giving them enhanced strength abilities. Test pilots Joji Minami and Hiromi Amachi, along with Andro Uemeda and Mutan, two alien beings from the planet Sanno, rid the dying Earth from the threat of the “Waldaster” and continue to research the “Leap Flight Engine” to reach a new home for humanity.
In the Arabian version of the popular series, Tekkaman is known as “Rajul Al-Tikka” [رجل التكة] an awkward translation which ironically fits with the original.
Production
The opening theme, “Tekkaman no Uta,” is sung by Ichirou MizukiIchirou Mizuki
, better known by his stage name , is a Japanese vocalist, lyrist, composer, voice actor and actor best known for his work on theme songs for anime and tokusatsu. For over 40 years, he has recorded over 1200 songs for Japanese film, television, video and video games. He is referred to by fans and...
, written by Tatsunoko’s Planning Department (lyrics) and Asei Kobayashi (music) and arranged by Bob Sakuma, who composed all the music for the series.
An English language version was created by a small independent company called William Winckler Productions. However, the dub was cancelled in mid-story with only 13 of the show’s 26 episodes produced.
Over forty-thousand original Tekkaman the Space Knight VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
video cassettes were successfully sold throughout the U.S. to major retail stores by Congress Video Group (the largest video distributor at the time), and later by L.D. Video. Congress Video sold half-hour episodes, whereas L.D. Video sold two 96-minute movie compilations.
William Winckler attempted to stay as true to the original Japanese series as possible, with little editing of violence as possible, and retaining all the original Japanese music and sound effects. This was in stark contrast to Science Ninja Team Gatchaman
Science Ninja Team Gatchaman
is a 5-member superhero team that is composed of the main characters in several Japanese anime created by Tatsuo Yoshida and originally produced in Japan by Tatsunoko Productions and later adapted into several English-language versions...
, another Tatsunoko series which was dubbed by Sandy Frank
Sandy Frank
Sandy Frank is an American television producer and international TV program distributor as well as a marketer of TV shows to US networks.-Early life and career:...
as Battle of the Planets
Battle of the Planets
Battle of the Planets is an American animated television adaptation of the Japanese anime series Science Ninja Team Gatchaman . Of the 105 original Gatchaman episodes, 85 were used in the Battle of the Planets adaptation, produced by Sandy Frank Entertainment...
.
English Cast
- Bill Hedderly Jr. as Barry Gallagher / Tekkaman
- Kathy Pruitt as Patricia Richardson
- Reginald Bennett as Andro
- Clancy Syrko as Pegas / Randrox / Narrator
- Jean Veloz as Mutan / Computer
- Robert Winckler as Dr. Richardson / Emperor Devoral
Japanese Cast
- Katsuji MoriKatsuji Moriis a Japanese voice actor often accredited as the Casey Kasem of Japan. He is most known for the roles of Go Mifune , Joe Shimamura/009 , Ken the Eagle , Jouji Minami , and Garma Zabi .- Anime :*Nephrite in Sailor Moon*Seiji Hayami in Cutey Honey*Go Mifune in Mach Go Go Go/Speed Racer is a...
as Minami Johji - Kan Tokumaru as Pegas
- Junpei TakiguchiJunpei Takiguchi, better known by the stage name , was a Japanese voice actor and narrator from Chiba Prefecture.Besides his many narration and dubbing roles, he was also known for his roles in Time Bokan , Yatterman , Mazinger Z , Tekkaman: The Space Knight and for his narration roles in Burari Tochūgesha no...
as Rambos - Kazue KomiyaKazue Komiyais a Japanese voice actress who is affiliated with Theater Echo.-TV anime:*Aim for the Ace! *Ashita no Nadja *Combat Mecha Xabungle *Fullmetal Alchemist *Hiatari Ryōkō!...
as Mutan - Kenji UtsumiKenji Utsumiis a Japanese voice actor and actor from Kitakyūshū, affiliated with the self-founded Ken Production. He is married to fellow voice actress Michiko Nomura....
as Chief Tenchi - Miyuki UedaMiyuki Ueda, is a Japanese actress and voice actress. She is married to singer Isao Sasaki and is a childhood friend of fellow voice actor Katsuji Mori.-TV anime:*Weiß Kreuz *Space Battleship Yamato **Space Battleship Yamato: The New Journey...
as Hiromi - Shinji NakaeShinji Nakae, known by the stage name , was a male Japanese voice actor and narrator from Kōtō, Tokyo. He graduated from Kamakuragakuenchūgakkō Senior High School, and was affiliated with Aoni Production at the time of his death....
as Narrator - Takeshi Kuwabara as Doburai
- Yasuo YamadaYasuo Yamadawas a Japanese voice actor born in Tokyo, Japan.Yamada left the faculty of literature of Waseda University, and had performed in many stage, radio, and television productions. His most famous role was Arsène Lupin III from the Lupin III series, starting in 1971 and ending in 1995...
as Andro Umeda - Yuzuru Fujimoto as Jupiter
External links
- Tekno-mania
- CDJAPAN DVD RELEASE
- Tekkaman Profile Tekkaman (Anime Mundi), detailed production information